Alora Drug Details
Therapeutic Class:
Estrogen hormone
Forms:
Tablet, topical gel, cream, and spray
Administration:
By mouth, by application to the vagina
Therapeutic Uses:
To treat menopause symptoms
To treat certain types of breast cancer and prostate cancer
To treat low estrogen levels in women with certain conditions
To prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Estradiol Drug Class
Estradiol (es-trah-dye-ohl) is an estrogen hormone.
Estradiol Age Range
Estradiol is approved for use in adults. The safety and efficacy of this drug have not been established in pediatric patients.
Alora Uses
Estradiol Uses
Estradiol is used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, itching, and burning. In women who only have vaginal symptoms, topical products such as estradiol vaginal cream or estradiol gel can be applied directly to the vagina and may be more beneficial.
Estradiol is also used to treat low estrogen levels due to castration, hypogonadism, and primary ovarian failure. This drug may be prescribed for palliative treatment of certain types of metastatic breast cancer and advanced androgen-dependent prostate cancer. Estradiol may be prescribed for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women who cannot take non-estrogen medications.
There may be other uses of estradiol—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.
Estradiol Mechanism of Action
Estradiol is an estrogen hormone. It works by replacing the natural estrogen hormone in the body.
Estradiol Doses
Oral estradiol comes in the form of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets. The recommended dosages are as follows:
- For menopausal symptoms: The usual initial dose of estradiol hormone therapy is 1 to 2 mg daily. This is adjusted to control postmenopausal symptoms. Your provider will start you at the lowest dose that controls your symptoms and reevaluate you at 3- to 6-month intervals to see if you need to continue on estradiol. They may ask you to take the medicine cyclically, i.e., 3 weeks on and 1 week off.
- For low estrogen due to castration, hypogonadism, or primary ovarian failure: The dose of estradiol is usually 1 to 2 mg daily. This is adjusted to control symptoms. The minimal effective dose is used for maintenance therapy.
- For palliative treatment of breast cancer with metastatic disease: The recommended dose of estradiol is 10 mg three times daily for three months or longer.
- For palliative treatment of advanced androgen-dependent prostate cancer: The recommended dose of estradiol is 1 to 2 mg three times daily.
- For prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis: Estradiol is prescribed only to women who are at a significant risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) and in whom non-estrogen medications are not appropriate. The lowest effective dose of estradiol is used.
Alora Directions
How To Use Estradiol
Oral estradiol comes in the form of a tablet to be taken by mouth 1-3 times daily. Taking this medication with food may help to reduce nausea. Try to take your medicine at around the same time(s) every day.
When estradiol is prescribed to menopausal women who have a uterus, another female sex hormone, progestin, is also prescribed to lower the risk of endometrial cancer. Women who do not have a uterus do not need progestin.
Estradiol alone or in combination with progestin is prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible. Your doctor will reevaluate you periodically at 3- or 6-month intervals to determine if estradiol treatment is still required. If you have a uterus, your doctor will order diagnostic tests, such as endometrial sampling, for early detection of endometrial cancer and to rule out cancer if you have unusual vaginal bleeding.
Read the prescription label carefully. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions and take estradiol exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of estradiol, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store estradiol at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused or expired estradiol should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw estradiol in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded estradiol is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on estradiol. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about estradiol, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.
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Alora Side Effects
Estradiol Side Effects
Common side effects of estradiol are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or persistent after a few days:
- Headache
- Breast pain
- Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Fluid retention and bloating
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Mood changes, anxiety, irritability, depression, sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Darkening of the facial skin
- Thinning scalp hair
Estradiol can also cause more serious side effects. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:
- Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as skin rash, hives, itching, blisters, peeling
- Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Signs and symptoms of blood clots such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain, swelling, or warmth in one or both legs
- Changes in your breasts, such as pain, lumps, redness, or nipple discharge
- Signs and symptoms of gallbladder problems, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Signs and symptoms of liver injury, such as nausea, vomiting, right upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, light-colored stools, dark urine, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection or vaginal irritation (vaginal itching, burning, discharge, odor, redness, or swelling)
- Pelvic pain or unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Breakthrough bleeding between menstrual periods
The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of estradiol. Contact your healthcare professional if the side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Estradiol Overdose: In case of an overdose, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, fatigue, breast pain, and unusual vaginal bleeding.
Alora Warnings
Estradiol Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Estradiol can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options if you are at an increased risk of complications from this medicine. Some of the risks of estradiol use include:
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Precautions Before Starting Estradiol
Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to estradiol, any of the active or inactive ingredients in estradiol formulations, other estrogen preparations, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products such as St. John’s Wort. This can help avoid possible interactions between estradiol and your other medicines.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Estradiol may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, such as personal or family medical history or breast, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, asthma, migraines, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a bleeding disorder, uterine fibroid tumors, endometriosis, jaundice during pregnancy while using estrogen, hypoparathyroidism (low parathyroid hormone levels), high or low calcium levels, a genetic enzyme disorder called porphyria, a hereditary blood disorder such as hereditary angioedema, liver disease, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorder, or pancreas problems.
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while on this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breast feeding. Estrogens can slow breast milk production in lactating women.
Precautions During Use of Estradiol
Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on estradiol. Tell your healthcare professional if your menopausal symptoms do not improve or get worse on this medicine. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without talking to your doctor first.
Tell all your healthcare providers you are on estradiol before a minor or major surgery, including dental treatments.
Tell your healthcare professional if you become pregnant while on estradiol.
Estradiol Drug Interactions
Taking estradiol with certain other drugs can affect how the medicines work. Possible interactions between estradiol and other medications can increase the risk of serious adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications, switch you to another medication, or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between estradiol and your other medicines. Estradiol can have drug interactions with the following medications:
Anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine
Anti-tubercular drugs like rifampin
Antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
Antifungal agents such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
HIV medications such as ritonavir
Herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
The above list may not include all the possible drug interactions of estradiol. Give your healthcare professional a complete list of all the medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Alora Pros & Cons
Estradiol Pros and Cons
- Estradiol can help manage symptoms of menopause (symptoms that occur around the time you stop getting your menstrual cycle).
- This medication can lower the risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) after menopause.
- It comes as an oral tablet as well as topical products for application to the vagina.
- It is available in a lower-cost generic form.
- It can be difficult to remember to take estradiol cyclically (3 weeks on, 1 week off).
- Taking estrogen replacement therapy can increase your risk of hormone-related cancer, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
Alora Pharmacist Tips
Estradiol Tips from Pharmacists
Oral estradiol is associated with a higher risk of serious health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke. If you only have symptoms affecting the vagina locally, such as vaginal dryness, talk to your doctor about using estradiol vaginal cream or estradiol gel instead of tablets.
Estradiol can increase the risk of breast carcinoma. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for doing a monthly self-breast exam and getting screening tests done to detect breast tumors early.
If you still have a uterus, keep your appointments for endometrial sampling for early detection of uterine cancer.]
Tell your healthcare providers you are on estradiol before any surgery. You may need to stop taking this medicine for 4-6 weeks because it can increase the risk of blood clots.
Alora Rx Savings Tips
Estradiol Rx Savings Tips
Estradiol is a generic medication. It is available at significantly lower prices than the brand name Estrace (this product is no longer on the market). Brand name Estrace and generic estradiol contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. As with most medications, the generic form offers better value. A BuzzRx estradiol coupon can result in big savings on the generic form of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Estradiol may be under $50.00 for one tube of cream of the 42.5 g of 0.01% dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on estradiol, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx estradiol discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
Lowest Price for Estradiol | |
| Brand $124.40 | Generic $49.99 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Alora Common Questions
Common Questions about Estradiol
Is estradiol the same as estrogen?Yes, estradiol is the most potent estrogen. It is the man-made version of the hormone that is naturally found in the body. |
How long can I take estradiol for postmenopausal symptoms?Estradiol increases your risk of serious health complications such as blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers. You should take this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Your healthcare provider will review you every 3-6 months and decide if you should continue on this medication. |
Does estradiol cause weight gain?Some people experience an increase in weight on estradiol, while others notice weight loss. Estradiol may make you feel more full and thereby control your appetite, leading to weight loss. On the other hand, estradiol can cause fluid retention and may cause some increase in weight. If weight changes are a concern, talk to your healthcare provider. |
Do I need estradiol oral tablets or vaginal cream?Whether you need estradiol oral tablets or estradiol vaginal cream/estradiol gel depends on your symptoms. If you have symptoms such as vaginal dryness or vaginal itching, your provider may recommend a topical product such as an estradiol vaginal cream or gel. On the other hand, if your symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats, you may need to take the tablet. |
What to avoid when taking estradiol?Your provider may ask you to avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while on estradiol as this can lead to increased plasma concentrations of the medicine and increased side effects. |
What is the price of estradiol without insurance?Without insurance, estradiol can be as high as $226.30, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $49.99 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of estradiol with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on estradiol—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for estradiol. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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